Didn’t know where else in the forum to post this so here goes.
I have been steadily bulking gaining slowly every week. My diet is very consistent except on weekends sometimes.
Whenever I deprive myself on weekends by not going out at night and drinking alcohol my muscles look full and firm on Mondays. I feel fresh and continue to see gains whenever I keep this up.
Now, whenever I choose to enjoy mself and maybe go out on a Sat/Fri night and have a few drinks till about 3 or 4 in the morning this changes.
I make a conscious effort to not have much alcohol(about 4 light vodka mixes or 3 beers)and have protein with plenty water before bed on these kind of nights. The next day I look noticeably smaller and softer, and definitely put on some fat. This lasts awhile and I find it takes the whole week of dieting and training till I get back to my original size/look.
If I decide to go out again the next weekend this result happens again. So its like a cycle and my gains remain stagnant. Whats going on? Surely my body cant be this sensitive but I am the perfect definition of an ectomorph so maybe this is the reason. Its very hard and I feel like I have to give up my life to see results. Some expert advice needed…
You’ve answered your own question really. What effects you might not effect another person as much, or more for that matter.
It might also come from you changing your sleep patterns fairly radicaly compared to what you do during the week. Unless of course your up to those hours normally.
You can’t undo positive decisions all week in a single night. I’d bet it’s more mental than anything.
I know after I eat large amounts all week, and then a weekend trip comes up and I don’t eat as much I feel like I’ve lost some momentum in the gains department. When in reality while I didn’t progress, I didn’t really backslide either, it’s all mental.
Have you ever noticed how bars tend to be full of young people? That’s because staying up all night drinking makes everybody feel like shit and we stop doing it as we get older and smarter. Do yourself a favor and make some friends who like to do things other than drinking.
[quote]supabeast wrote:
Have you ever noticed how bars tend to be full of young people? That’s because staying up all night drinking makes everybody feel like shit and we stop doing it as we get older and smarter. Do yourself a favor and make some friends who like to do things other than drinking. [/quote]
I agree…bottom line is, IF YOU DONT LIKE HOW THESE NIGHTS OUT MAKE YOU LOOK/FEEL…STOP IT… NOW!! We wont think you are not “cool” anymore if you do
I just did this myself over a year ago…totaly gave up on drinking altogether. I figure it like this, taking care of yourself, nomatter how you do it, has to be a lifestyle change, (no Dr Phil here please). Ya have to go totaly hardcore straightedge. Now I look to the gym for a “rush”,… unfortunately, you can find just as many boneheads at my gym as you can in a bar.
What’s more important to you - getting drunk 1 or 2 times a week or getting bigger? I asked myself a very similar question about 8 months ago and can count the number of times I’ve had more than 2 drinks in a sitting in that time frame on one hand.
Life is about choices - make yours and constantly reevaluate to make sure your choices are in line with your goals.
Maybe its mental…who knows
All I can say is bodybuilding is very hard and challenging. The ones who make it have either superior genes or work like a slave. I give props to those who have gotten the results they strived for. But I feel this is taking a toll on my life so Im jus gonna do it and hope for the best.
[quote]gunhawrtis wrote:
Maybe its mental…who knows
All I can say is bodybuilding is very hard and challenging. The ones who make it have either superior genes or work like a slave. I give props to those who have gotten the results they strived for. But I feel this is taking a toll on my life so Im jus gonna do it and hope for the best.[/quote]
Oh I get it, you thought you could pick up some weights and eat some protein shakes and look like addonis.
Everything in moderation. There are huge strong guys who drink , smoke more ganja than a Ziggy Marley concert yet still drag themselves to the gym to rep out a 500+ bench press. I think for you it is mental, those studies with alcohol were done with HUGE amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. Your couple of drinks aren’t wreaking as much havoc as you think. Lift heavy shit, eat some food, sleep, drink alot of water, and control stress.
I know how the OP feels. I almost posted a similar thread. It just feels like sabotage the day after (especially if you ate garbage either the night before while intoxicated or the next day hungover). I would love to quit drinking altogether, but the social aspects are so deeply rooted into my relationships that it makes it very difficult. I’ve changed many aspects of my life for the better, but I just can’t completely let go of this one. And it is frustrating. Mom doesnt understand why you wont eat her fried chicken. The girlfriend doesn’t understand why you dont want to eat out or go to a keg party on a weekend. Your buddies dont understand why you dont want to drink at the Red Sox game. People will say “Don’t drink, its easy!” In theory, yes. But when it has been a part of your life for a period of time, it requires a personality change of sorts. I’ve found that dialing in the rest of my nutrition outside of alcohol has really put the squeeze on my drinking, and I hope to continue to lessen my intake. My 2 cents.
Sounds like the O.P knows what to do, just lacking the dedication. That’s the truth not me being a dick. I completely understand about the alcohol/fun situation. It’s only been 2 months for me without drinking(while I shed fat). Shit aint easy. But, if you feel like it’s impeding your goals, why do it?
Prioritize. Everyone with the physique/mind set they desire has made choices. Superior genes is bullshit, work your ass off.
No big, lean guy wants to hear you tell them it’s easy for them.
Not trying to sound like a jerk…but be honest with yourself, the title of this thread SHOULD read:
I am Always Setting Me Back
I totally agree with the poster above that said “prioritize”
What means more TO YOU?
drinking
the physique you want?
There is no REAL right or wrong answer here…just what is more important to YOU. Once you figure that out…this all reminds me of an article here written by…I think it was Shugart… about choices and that all choices are either steps forwards or backwards.
Pick whatever is most important to you, and then make sure all steps are TOWARDS that goal.
